A railway switching machine includes a housing, a first point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a first switch point, and a second point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a second switch point.
|
1. A railway switching machine comprising:
a housing;
a first point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a first switch point; and
a second point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a second switch point,
wherein the housing includes a first number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the first point detector bar and a second number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the second point detector bar, and
wherein each of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar are moveable from between a first position wherein the target disposed thereon is positioned at or about a first proximity sensor of the number of proximity sensors and a second position wherein the target disposed thereon is disposed about a second proximity sensor.
8. A railway switching system comprising:
a first switch point;
a second switch point; and
a railway switching machine comprising:
a housing; and
a first point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and directly coupled to only one of the first switch point or the second switch point,
wherein the railway switching machine further comprises a second point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and directly coupled to the other one of the first switch point or the second switch point,
wherein the housing of the railway switching machine includes a first number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the first point detector bar and a second number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the second point detector bar, and
wherein each of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar are moveable from between a first position wherein the target disposed thereon is positioned at or about a first proximity sensor of the number of proximity sensors and a second position wherein the target disposed thereon is disposed about a second proximity sensor.
2. The railway switching machine of
3. The railway switching machine of
4. The railway switching machine of
5. The railway switching machine of
6. The railway switching machine of
7. The railway switching machine of
9. The railway switching system of
10. The railway switching system of
11. The railway switching system of
12. The railway switching system of
13. The railway switching system of
14. The railway switching system of
|
This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/402,194 entitled “Electronic Circuit Controller for Railway Switch Machine, Railway Switch Machine and Railway Switching System Including Same, filed on Sep. 30, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
The present application relates to vital controllers for switch machines and, more particularly, to vital electronic circuit controllers for use in railway switch machines or for transit and/or railway related vital proximity detection applications. The present application also relates to railway switch machines and railway switching systems including such controllers.
A railway switch machine is used to divert a train from one track to, another track. In many cases, the switch machine is remotely operated and, thus, an operator cannot see the machine. Consequently, the status of the machine (e.g., points detected and mechanically locked for either a straight-through or turn-out move) is provided by electrical circuits that, in turn, are interlocked with signals governing movement of the trains. According to typical convention, the term Normal (N) is employed for a straight-through move and the term Reverse (R) is employed for a turn-out move.
Historically, indication circuits for switch machines were implemented with cam operated or other types of mechanical switches comprises of hard contacts within the machine. In some cases, the indication contacts of one machine are electrically connected in series with other machines in series for a cross-over to provide a system safety connection to both sets of points. All interconnected machines must prove that their points are closed and mechanically locked before railroad signals are cleared for traffic, in order to permit movement of associated trains.
Motor control is also provided by mechanical switches via hard contacts. Basically, the motor rotates in opposite directions for Normal and Reverse. Rotary motion of the motor is converted to linear motion within the machine to move and lock the points. If the motor is being driven Normal, then contacts within the machine open the circuit path that would, otherwise, permit continued movement in that direction when the limit of intended motion is reached. However, a path is maintained that permits movement in the Reverse direction. In between the extreme positions, both current paths are closed for movement of the motor in either direction. It is known to assign Right Hand Points Closed (RHPC) or Left Hand Points Closed (LHPC) to Normal by orientation of cam operated switches.
With mechanical controllers, a battery voltage is fed from the wayside case to contacts of a first switch machine. Then, if those contacts are closed, the battery voltage is fed on to the next machine, and so on. If all the contacts in the series string are closed, then the voltage fed back to the wayside case proves all switch machines are in correspondence, which is a condition necessary to vitally clear signals.
Electronic circuit controllers have been developed which improve upon such mechanical devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,974, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses an example of such an electronic circuit controller (ECC). The ECC is a microprocessor controlled device used to sense the position of rail points within a turnout(s) or “switch”. Similar to purely mechanical sensing systems, the sensing of the points is provided by a point detector bar which attaches to heavy metalwork binding two switch points together at a set distance. The point detector bar is able to slide freely within the controller compartment of the switch machine. Unlike purely mechanical systems which utilize cams to interact with the point detector bar, a target attached to the point detector bar is utilized which is aligned with an inductive proximity sensor in each switch position. Other sensors are mounted under the mounting plate to sense the lock box position at the end of each move (near and far point positions). The lock box (which mechanically locks the track in its full thrown position), when used, prohibits unintended point movement until unlocked for the next switch move.
Vital proximity sensors 18, 20 have a narrow valid current window for both “in-range” and “out-of-range” indications but never full open or shorted conditions of the sensors can be interpreted by the ECC as acceptable. ECC 12 has the ability to verify the proper current with the use of a vital analog input. Each of sensors 18 and 20 are connected to the sinking input of the vital analog input. Through the use of sensor select circuits each sensor 18, 20 can be individually powered and read. ECC 12 employs time division multiplexing to read each vital sensor input current. The linearity of the analog input gain stage and analog-to-digital converter is verified with a ramping test signal before which are verified to be accurate between every read of the sensors.
Such approach has provided reliable railroad switch machine position indication for over 10 years. In most rail markets, including the US, it has generally been deemed acceptable practice to receive the position indication through a single point detector bar (via either mechanical or electrical sensing) for over 100 years. However, such methodology is not without its flaws as such system could incorrectly indicate the switch machine position if the closed point were to become disconnected from the metalwork binding the two points. In such scenario, an example of which is shown in
Accordingly, there remains a substantial need (e.g., personnel safety, equipment safety) to provide a system and method for independently monitoring both switch points in a railway switching system.
Embodiments of the present concept improve upon known solutions and add protection against the unsafe scenario described in the Background section in several ways. As one aspect of the invention, a railway switching machine comprises: a housing; a first point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a first switch point; and a second point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and structured to be directly coupled to a second switch point.
The housing may include a first number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the first point detector bar and a second number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the second point detector bar.
The railway switching machine may further comprise an intelligent electronic circuit controller electrically connected to each of the first number of proximity sensors and the second number of proximity sensors. The intelligent electronic circuit controller may comprise a control unit having a processing unit and a memory. The processing unit may be structured to store data regarding performance of the switching machine. The intelligent electronic circuit controller may further comprise a communication unit structured to communicate between the control unit and external devices via one or more wired or wireless communication means.
Each of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar may be moveable from between a first position wherein the target disposed thereon is positioned at or about a first proximity sensor of the number of proximity sensors and a second position wherein the target disposed thereon is disposed about a second proximity sensor; and the processing unit may be programmed to log a quantity of said movements of one or both of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar between said first and second positions along with one or more of: a time duration required to compete each of said movements and a current draw of the switching machine during one or more of said movements. The processing unit may be further programmed to compare one or more of the time duration and current draw to a predetermined value and provide a signal if the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition.
As another aspect of the invention, a railway switching system comprises: a first switch point; a second switch point; and a railway switching machine comprising: a housing; and a first point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and directly coupled to only one of the first switch point or the second switch point.
The railway switching machine may further comprise a second point detector bar slidably coupled to the housing and directly coupled to the other one of the first switch point or the second switch point. The housing of the railway switching machine may include a first number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the first point detector bar and a second number of proximity sensors positioned to detect a target provided on the second point detector bar.
The railway switching machine may further comprise an intelligent electronic circuit controller electrically connected to each of the first number of proximity sensors and the second number of proximity sensors. The intelligent electronic circuit controller may comprise a control unit having a processing unit and a memory. The processing unit may be structured to store data regarding performance of the switching machine. The intelligent electronic circuit controller may further comprise a communication unit structured to communicate between the control unit and external devices via one or more wired or wireless communication means. Each of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar may be moveable from between a first position wherein the target disposed thereon is positioned at or about a first proximity sensor of the number of proximity sensors and a second position wherein the target disposed thereon is disposed about a second proximity sensor; and the processing unit may be programmed to log a quantity of said movements of one or both of the first point detector bar and the second point detector bar between said first and second positions along with one or more of: a time duration required to compete each of said movements and a current draw of the switching machine during one or more of said movements. The processing unit may be further programmed to compare one or more of the time duration and current draw to a predetermined value and provide a signal if the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition.
As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.
As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
Embodiments of the present concept improve upon known solutions and add protection against the unsafe scenario described in the Background section in several ways. First, a second point detector bar is added such that one point detector bar is attached to each point independently. The inductive proximity sensors are positioned to sense a target on each point detector bar when each point is closed. This addition alone greatly reduces the possibility that either point could become deranged without detection by the intelligent electronic circuit controller (IECC). Second, the inclusion of two additional vital proximity sensors improves the ability of the IECC to detect improper switch point positions and to detect the position of the open points in each position of the switch. With this arrangement, in order to produce a vital indication of switch position, not only the closed-point positions must be detected, but proper open-point position sensing is also required. Such arrangement adds a level of safety beyond what is possible with conventional circuit controller configurations.
As a further distinction from the prior art arrangement previously described in conjunction with
Referring now to
It is to be appreciated that the arrangement of
An IECC as described herein provides for data logging and remote diagnostic capabilities giving rail maintenance personnel added insight into switch machine performance and maintenance needs without being near the switch machine of interest. For example, without limitation, parameters such as the number of switch machine throws, time duration of switch throws measured against “optimal performance” for profiling and threshold alarms, real time of switch machine throws, switch machine motor current draw, etc. can be logged and alarms could alert railroad personnel when machine maintenance is necessary. Additionally, an IECC as described herein provides for indications over vital communications, web interfacing for greater user information on machine performance, and messaging to user's maintenance team via text or other suitable arrangement. Such capabilities provide for railroad personnel to more accurately allocate resources to apply maintenance to the proper switch machines. For example, without limitation, an alarm could be set to indicate that the current draw of the machine motor exceeds a predetermined threshold(s), thus indicating that components of the railway switching system likely need to be greased or serviced in an appropriate manner, the switch mechanism is beginning to fail due to internal components failing or requiring lubrication, the location of the points is beginning to become out of range, power source to machine is weak or overcharged, and if undesired debris has entered the overall switch location. Because each machine log can be accessed individually, the maintenance crew can also tell exactly which machine is in need of maintenance in those cases in which all the indication outputs are chained serially.
An IECC as described herein can support two-way vital communications over Ethernet or fiber optic cabling. The existing electronic and electro-mechanical controllers communicate the switch position via discrete indications. When multiple switches are combined in an interlocking manner (known as “chaining”), the switch position indications are passed from one controller to the next. Ultimately the last controller indication outputs are sent back to the wayside relay logic or vital logic. If any of the machines in the chain become out-of correspondence, no indication will be sent to the wayside logic to allow train movement over the switch(es). Separate 12 VDC signals are sent to the wayside logic for NORMAL and REVERSE indicating each switch position. An example of such arrangement is illustrated in
An IECC as described herein can be field configured for different latch out types such as: automated latch out restore, manual latch out restore, and disabled (will not ever latch out).
Embodiments of the present concept allow for switch position indications to be vitally conveyed from the switch machine to the wayside logic, or from a switch machine to the next switch machine in a chain of interlocked switch machines, over an Ethernet or fiber optic connection. An example of such an arrangement is illustrated in
In addition, with a vital communication link between the wayside logic and switch machines in the field, it is possible to request a switch move. The IECC circuit controller could then pass the move request to the motor controllers used to throw the machine via discrete outputs. The primary benefit of doing this is the ability to eliminate two or three more discrete conductors from the machine to the wayside house or case, previously sent to the switch machine motor controller independently.
The vital communication link and independent control of the motor eliminates the need of additional components in the wayside controller which are used to remove power to the motor after indication is sent or overload cutoff if the current is exceeded for an extended period of time.
Although the present concept has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the concept is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present concept contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.
McQuistian, Kevin, Mcgraw, Eric, Szewczyk, Russell
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
5116006, | Sep 11 1989 | Safety detector for railroad switch points with remote contact mechanism | |
5620156, | May 27 1993 | Bombardier Transportation GmbH | Device for operating a switch for rail points |
5806809, | Mar 12 1997 | General Electric Company | Railroad switch point position sensing system and method |
6149106, | Sep 03 1998 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Railroad switch point position indicator |
6164600, | Mar 12 1996 | VAE Aktiengesellschaft | Device for detecting the positions of pivotable parts of a point |
6186448, | Sep 08 1998 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Captivity point detection system with single switch position target |
6484974, | Sep 10 2001 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Controller for switch machine |
6585194, | Dec 06 2001 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Modular point detector for railroad track switch |
6663052, | Dec 06 2001 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Modular point detector for railroad track signal |
6688559, | Dec 06 2001 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | Modular point detector for railroad track switch |
7577502, | Jul 08 2004 | C D L ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC | Proximity detection and communication mechanism and method |
7753318, | Jan 31 2007 | General Electric Company | System and method for temporary protection operation of a controller box for a railroad switch turnout |
20070040071, | |||
20080093508, | |||
20130068897, | |||
20150028164, | |||
20170002522, | |||
20180093682, | |||
CN101439725, | |||
CN103786750, | |||
CN201329879, | |||
DE19819162, | |||
EP1593575, | |||
EP2939900, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Oct 02 2017 | HITACHI RAIL STS USA, INC. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Aug 28 2018 | MCQUISTIAN, KEVIN | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 046726 | /0931 | |
Aug 28 2018 | MCGRAW, ERIC | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 046726 | /0931 | |
Aug 28 2018 | SZEWCZYK, RUSSELL | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 046726 | /0931 | |
Feb 21 2019 | ANSALDO STS USA, INC | HITACHI RAIL STS USA, INC | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 055349 | /0396 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Oct 02 2017 | BIG: Entity status set to Undiscounted (note the period is included in the code). |
Sep 23 2024 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Mar 23 2024 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Sep 23 2024 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 23 2025 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Mar 23 2027 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Mar 23 2028 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Sep 23 2028 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 23 2029 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Mar 23 2031 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Mar 23 2032 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Sep 23 2032 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 23 2033 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Mar 23 2035 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |